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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Turkey is undertaking imitation steps for its membership to the EU, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told Armenpress, referring to the annual report of the European Union about the steps undertaken by Turkey for becoming member of the establsihment. According to him, the principle points of implementation of Turkey’s commitments are considered the protection of rights of ethnic minorities, normalization of relations with neighbor countries as well as freedom of speech in that country.
“It is interesting for us that this year’s report refers to the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations,” Melkonyan pointed out, adding that the report says Turkey has not implemented its commitments in this direction and has not ratified Armenian-Turkish protocols.
Ruben Melkonyan said during this period Turkey has undertaken certain steps to show as if it is committed to the European values, but these are “half steps” that do not solve any essential or radical issues. “One of these half steps also relates to the trial of Hrant Dink case which is in a deadlock for more than two years,” the Turkologist said.
Referring to the question whether the constitutional reforms in Turkey may promote that country’s membership to the EU, Melkonyan said that these reforms solve domestic political issues and are mainly directed toward the restriction of influence of forensic and military authorities, thus they cannot be viewed as radical reforms directed toward the solution of the EU membership issue.